This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Read our privacy policy to learn more.

Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Make Reading Easier For Those With Dyslexia

BY STANLEY ZAROWIN

Related

TOPICS

Uncategorized Article

MAKE READING EASIER FOR THOSE WITH DYSLEXIA I have a mild case of dyslexia, which, among other
things, makes reading a little difficult, especially reading the
small, crowded type in spreadsheets. Do you have a recommendation?

I have several. Most people with dyslexia or
light-sensitive eyes find text on a white background—whether on a
computer screen or paper—somewhat difficult to read. Adding a faint
yellow tint to the page cuts down the reflected glare and makes
focusing easier, whether or not you have eye problems.

In Word, add the tint by clicking on Format ,
Background and then the color marked by the arrow
(see screenshot).

In Excel, first highlight the entire worksheet by pressing Ctrl+A,
then click on the Fill Color (paint bucket) icon and
then the light yellow panel (see screenshot).

For help reading printed material, buy an 8 1/2 -by-11 yellow-tinted
transparent plastic sheet at an office supply store and lay it over
what you’re reading to remove the glare.

Another problem is the type size. While you can’t do anything about
printed material, you can adjust the computer’s font size quite
easily. Although I generally use 12-point type, for ease in reading I
enlarge my personal view (without changing the document’s format
settings) by clicking on the Zoom icon (see
screenshot).

If you don’t have that icon on your toolbar, click on Tools
, Customize and under the Commands
heading, grab the Zoom icon (see screenshot)
and drag it onto the toolbar. Do the same for Excel.

Enlarging the spacing between lines of type helps, too. I find
two-line spacing too much and one-line spacing too little, but hidden
among Word’s little formatting adjustments is 1.5-line spacing, which
I find just right. To access it, click on Format ,
then Paragraph and the Indents and Spacing
tab. Under Line spacing , click on the down
arrow to engage Multiple , and then dial the spacing
to 1.5 (see screenshot).

For convenience, you can place the Line spacing
icon in your toolbar (see screenshot).

However, that icon is well-hidden: Look under the Commands
tab and under Format ; it’s the next-to-last
icon in the lengthy list.

Are you working with the best technology? Do you know how to help your clients determine if their technology stack measures up? In this free report, J. Carlton Collins, CPA, explains how to answer those questions via a technology assessment engagement.